Four
ships of this Class to be built to a design designated R3
were ordered during the latter half of 1912. After an
offer by the Federated Malay States to pay for an
additonal ship, a later order was placed for a fifth. In
the 1914-15 Estimates a sixth ship was included but this
requirement was cancelled in August 1914.

Main
propulsion was provided by direct drive steam turbines of
75.000 shaft horse power driving four shafts to give a
designed speed of 24 knots.

Deep
Displacement of these ships varied between 32,910 and
33,410 tons. Improved armour protection was provided
compared with the IRON DUKE Class and Included 13in and
6in plates for hull structure, and upper deck. In addition
protection was provided for gun mountings and fire control
positions.

Main
armament comprised eight guns 14in guns in four twin with
twelve 6in guns fitted In Barbettes as secondary armament.
In addition two 3in guns were fitted for air defence. 4
submerged 21in torpedo tubes were included in the basic
design.

A
flying-off platform for an aircraft was fitted to one of
the forward 15in turrets but this was removed in 1934.

The
Complement was 953 (967 as a Flagship).

Modernisation and
Reconstruction

HMS
WARSPITE, HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH and HMS VALIANT underwent a
reconstruction when they were modernised. The other ships
although extensively refitted were not subject to very
major structural changes nor were they fitted with dual
purpose 4.5in guns. During the modernisation of HMS QUEEN
ELIZABETH beginning in 1937 the bridge structure was
redesigned and the secondary armament was replaced by 10
twin 4.5in mountings to give an effective defence against
air attacks whilst also retaining surface capability by
using dual-purpose design mountings. Modern close range AA
guns were also fitted.

The
direct drive turbines were replaced by geared turbines and
new design boilers were installed. The whole of the
machinery arrangements were modified in order to improve
the damage control facilities. A catapult facility with
two cranes was fitted for operating a seaplane aircraft.
These were removed when war experience showed this
to be of limited value.

The
recent development of radar to provide warning of the
approach of aircraft and for armament fire-control, which
had been undertaken prior to 1940, allowed this essential
equipment to be fitted during modernisation. Additional
radar sets were fitted during WW2 refits and replacements
fitted for existing outfits during wartime refits for
existing sets . (See War Service details).

As
a result of all these alterations the deep displacement
increased to 36,080 tons and the Complement increased to
1200 after modernisation. By 1945 both had again increased
due to the installation of additional equipment and the
need for more personnel to man, maintain and support the
new facilities

War Service

Between
September 1939 and August 1945 all ships of the Class saw
extensive service in Home Waters and abroad. They were
deployed for trade defence to protect shipping against
attacks by German commerce raiders and took part in most
major naval operations. Their extensive deployment
resulted in damage by surface, air and submarine attacks
and one of the Class, HMS VALIANT, was taken cut of
service when seriously damaged when she was under
maintenance in a Floating Dock at Trincomalee which
collapsed In August 1944

Two
of the Class, HMS VALIANT and HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH, were
also badly damaged after an underwater attack by Italian
frogmen who attached Limpet Mines to their hulls whilst at
anchor in Alexandria. Both ships had to undergo extensive
repairs and were taken cut of operational service in 1941
at a critical time during WW2.

HMS
WARSPITE is perhaps marginally the most famous of the
Class. She was in action with German and Italian surface
warships, supported many Malta convoys as well as carrying
out bombardments to support of allied military
operations in North Africa. Her crowning glory was to lead
the surrendered Italian Fleet into Malta after the
capitulation of Italy in September 1943. A few weeks later
she sustained further serious damage when hit by a radio
controlled glider bomb off the Salerno beachhead and after
several months out of service supported the allied
landings in Normandy. Despite detonating an acoustic mine
off Harwich she resumed these support duties and later
carried out bombardments at Walcheren. Her final end was,
in many ways, just as well remembered as her wartime
service, since she ran aground in Mounts Bay, Cornwall
when on passage to the breakers yard under tow. Her
eventual dismantling extended over 10 years.

Only
one ship of the Class was sunk during WW2. HMS BARHAM was
hit in the eastern Mediterranean by three torpedoes fired
by U331 and sank within a few minutes with heavy loss of
life.

Further
details of the history these ships is available in BRITISH
BATTLESHIPS by Alan Raven and John Roberts and the history
of HMS WARSPITE in BATTLESHIP WARSPITE by V. E. Tarrant.

R O Y A
L S O V E R E I G N C
L A S S

HMS Royal
Sovereign (Navy Photos)

G e n e r a
l I n f o r m a t i o n

The
five ships of this Class were ordered under the 1913
Programme were designed to use a combined coal and oil
fuel supplies to provide steam for their propulsion
machinery. The Class comprised :

Main
propulsion was provided by direct drive steam turbines of
40,000 shaft horse power driving four shafts to give a
speed of almost 22 knots.

Deep
Displacement of these ships varied between 31,160 and
33,540 tons. Armour protection included 13in and 6in
plates for hull structure, and upper deck, addition
protection was provided for gun mountings, magazines and
fire control positions. Dimensions on completion were
620ft length overall, beam 102ft ft and draught of 30ft.

Main
armament comprised eight 14in guns in four twin turrets
with 14-6in guns fitted as secondary armament. In addition
two 3in guns were fitted for air defence and also four
submerged 21in torpedo tubes.

Design Changes

Early
modifications during build was the conversion to use only
oil fuel and to Increase the shaft horsepower from 31,000
to 40,000 which reduced the number of stokers required by
75. The four guns aft on the main deck were replaced by 2
single mountings fitted on the Forecastle Deck. Main
armament directors were fitted in all ships and, in
RAMILLIES only, bulges were added to improve protection
against under water explosions. She was the first modem RN
capital ship to have these fitted although their design
was changed in post WW1 refits.

Whilst
in service the remaining ships were fitted with bulges of
modified design and the damage control arrangements ware
improved. Armour protection was added to main deck over
the magazines to incorporate lessons from the Battle of
Jutland and the hull structure forward was strengthened. A
flying-off platform for an aircraft was fitted to both B
and X turrets. The Kite-balloon winches fitted during WW1
in REVENGE, RAMILLIES and RESOLUTION were removed after
the war. The original 15 foot range finders in B and X
turrets were replaced.

The
changes made between 1930 and 1946 in the ships of this
Class differed widely but in spite of their poor
condition. Aircraft arrangements and anti-aircraft defence
were much improved and the torpedo tubes were removed in
all five. During WW2, apart from the fit of radar,
additional AA weapons, damage control changes and removal
of the aircraft there were few other significant changes.

War Service

HMS
ROYAL OAK was sunk in Scapa Flow In October 1939 but the
other ships survived WW2. Although used extensively for
trade defence during 1939-40 ships of this Class took part
in operations in Norway and at Dakar. Their low speed and
poor defence against attack by aircraft showed that they
were not suitable for fleet duties and they were deployed
In the Indian Ocean for defence of convoys. By 1943 they
had all been relegated to training duties although HMS
RAMILLIES provided gunfire support during landings in
Normandy and in the South of France. HMS ROYAL SOVEREIGN
was lent to the Soviet Navy in 1944 and was renamed
ARKHANGELSK. The four ships surviving WW2 had all been
scrapped by 1949.

K I N G G E O R
G E V C L A S S

HMS King George V (Maritime
Quest)

G e n e r a
l I n f o r m a t i o n

HMS
DUKE
OF YORK
was ordered under the 1937 Estimates with HMS ANSON
and HMS HOWE.
Two others of this Class had been covered by the 1936
Programme and construction of the two ships had begun on
1st January 1937. The need for new modern battleships had
been felt essential by the Admiralty since 1927 to counter
build of this type of warship by Italy and France. Several
conceptual designs had been drawn-up by the Naval
Construction Department but the final four produced after
1935 had to take into account the limitations imposed by
the by the London Naval Treaty re-affirmed in 1930. In
July 1936 the design agreed was for a main armament of ten
14in guns arranged in two quadruple turrets and one twin
turret instead of three quadruple turrets. As a result of
the weight saving it was possible to provide increased
magazine protection and still conform to the Treaty
requirements. This change was needed to counter the
improved penetration of modern shells. In hindsight it is
clear that this was based on experience in WW1 and
inadequate for the different conditions to be faced in
modern sea warfare.

As
designed the standard displacement was 35,490 tons with a
waterline beam of 103 feet. During build and war service
due to changes in equipment. Standard Displacement of KING
GEORGE V
in 1945 was 39,100 tons. Ships of this Class had an
overall length of 745 feet with a waterline beam of 103
feet and a draught of 28 feet at standard displacement.

The
main armament was fitted in two quadruple mountings,
fitted forward and aft, with a twin 14in mounting sited
forward above the quadruple mounting. Eight twin 5.25in
mountings with a surface and anti-aircraft capability
comprised the secondary armament. In addition, Close Range
AA defence was provided by four eight barrelled 2 pdr
pom-pom guns on build and supplemented in service by 20mm
Oerlikon and 40mm Bofor guns as well as additional pom-pom
mountings.

Radar Equipment

This
Class was fitted with some outfits on build and as more
equipment was developed the radar fit was very
significantly improved throughout war service. Details of
the function of the various equipments are as follows but
reference should be made to RADAR AT SEA by D Howse for
further information about the development and use of radar
in the RN.

Long Range
Aircraft Warning

Type 279, a
production variant of the first equipment for
naval use, was fitted in KGV on build. Two
aerial units were required and were sited on the
main and fore masts. Prior to deployment in the
Pacific, Type 279B a modified set was fitted
which required only one aerial which was sited
on the mainmast. The remaining three ships were
fitted on build with an improved equipment Type
281 which was replaced by a single mast variant,
Type 281B in 1944.

Main Armament
Fire-control

Type 284, the
development of which was completed soon after
the outbreak of war was fitted during build in
all ships with the its aerial mounted on the
Forward Director and provided data for control
of the two forward mountings. During 1944-45
this equipment was replaced by a much improved
equipment Type 274 and a second outfit was
fitted to the After Director in the three ships
in service.

Secondary 5.25in
Fire-control

Type 285, which
was a variant of Type 284 was fitted after build
completion in all ships with the aerial fitted
on the HA Director associated with each pair of
twin gun mountings. These equipments were
replaced after 1944 by Type275 which was a
variant of Type 274 used for the main armament.

Close Range
Armament

Type 282, another
variant of Type 284 was fitted during or soon
after build with aerial mounted on Director
controlling Pom-Pom Mounting. Number fitted
varied between ships and some were fitted during
build with additional during service. Planned
replacement was Type 262 developed towards the
end of WW2 but was not implemented in the
remaining four ships during war.

Surface Warning

Type 271 which
was development during WW2 was fitted in KGV and
DoY during service and a prototype modified
variant which later became Type 273 was fitted
in PoW before she sailed for Singapore.
Production models of this new improved version
were fitted during the build of the other two
ships. In final wartime refits of these four
ships the newly designed Type 293 and Type 277
were fitted. This latter outfit had a dual
capability allowing its use for aircraft height
finding. These sets and also Type 281B/279B had
Plan Display units fitted in an Operations Room
where all radar information could be
assessed.

Miscellaneous

Special radar
Interrogation outfits which enabled Friendly
ships and aircraft to be identified were fitted
during service. Type 243 was used in conjunction
with Aircraft Warning radars and Type 242 with
the Surface Warning sets. A Transponder Type 253
which replied to the challenges by
Interrogators.

As
designed ships of this Class were to carry four amphibian
aircraft but before completion this was reduced to two. A
catapult was fitted for launching and cranes were used for
their recovery. In later refits aircraft and catapult were
landed as war experience and the availability of radar
established their limited value.

Four
three bladed propellers driven by steam turbines with a
shaft horsepower of 100,000 produced a speed of 27 knots
in service. The endurance as designed was never achieved
and compared unfavourably with similar US and German
battleships. The arrangement of the machinery was in four
separate Units which could operate independently to ensure
propulsion was available in the event of damage in action
or collision.

Considerable armour protection against gunfire and was
provided in the original design for magazines, machinery
compartments, main and secondary gun mountings. Protection
was also provided against torpedo attack by a system of
compartments along the side of the ship which was
criticised as being insufficient after the loss of HMS PRINCE
OF WALES.
The damage control arrangements were also improved as a
result of the sinking. De-gaussing was fitted during build
for protection against magnetic mines.

The
most significant design weakness in this Class was the
lack of freeboard particularly in the bow due to the
increase in displacement after additional equipment was
added during the build. As a result the ships were very
wet forward, even in moderate sea conditions which
affected gunnery performance.

War
experience especially in Arctic conditions, demonstrated
the need for better protection of equipment in severe
weather conditions. As designed the Complement was 1,409
but this had increased to over 1,550 by 1945 due to the
requirement for personnel to operate and support the
additional equipment fitted. Despite their shortcomings
these ships gave magnificent service and their very
existence did much to ensure that attacks on Atlantic and
Arctic convoys were prevented.

B A T T L
E C R U I S E R S

R E P U L S
E CLASS

HMS Repulse
(Maritime Quest)

G e n e r a
l I n f o r m a t i o n

Four
battleships of the ROYAL SOVEREIGN Class ordered in May
1914, but were cancelled in August 1911 after the outbreak
of WW1. In December that year, at the instigation of
Admiral Fisher orders ware placed for two battlecruisers
to be named REPULSE
and RENOWN.
These ships were intended to be faster than the existing
but to retain the same armament at the expense of armour
protection. Build time was intended to be 15 months and
fitting of new propulsion machinery was not approved
because of this factor.

HMS
RENOWN was laid down by Fairfields in January 1915,
launched on 4th torch 1916 and completed on 20th September
that year. Main propulsion was provided by steam turbines
of 120.000 shaft horse power driving four shafts to give a
speed of 32 knots during trials. As designed their Deep
displacement was 30,385 tons but this Increased to 36,080
tons by 1939 after modernisation. Both ships ware 794 feet
long overall and had a beam of 90 feet with a deep draught
of 30 feet. Their main armament comprised six 16in guns in
three twin turrets with 17 four inch guns as secondary
armament and two 3in High Angle Guns for A A defence. A
proposal to carry 25 mines was not implemented. Both ships
had two underwater torpedo tubes fitted forward. After
completion flying-off platforms were fitted to two of the
15in gun turrets. Although armour protection was provided
for decks and also to safeguard gunnery positions this was
not as substantial as in the battleships built at the same
period. The extent of Deck protection was increased in
1916 after completion following war experience.

In
1919 HMS RENOWN was selected to take HRH The Prince of
Wales for a visit to Australia and underwent a refit to
make changes to provide suitable accommodation for the
Prince. Further refits in 1931 and 1933 allowed
improvement of the High Angle gun control and in addition
a catapult was fitted for a seaplane, but without any
hangar for maintenance.

The
ship was modernised along the same lines as that for HM
Battleship WARSPITE between 1936 and 1939. Extensive
changes were made to the secondary armament which was
replaced by ten twin 4.5in mountings with a dual surface
and AA capability-Changes to the aircraft facilities were
made including provision of hangars and two cranes for
recovery. As part of the modernisation the propulsion
machinery was replaced to reduce weight and provide new
boilers. Auxiliary machinery using electrical power
instead of steam was fitted and this included
electro-hydraulic steering gear and an a electric capstan.
In addition the protection arrangements were slightly
improved but restricted to avoid loss of speed. Originally
the Complement was 953 (967 as a Flagship) but this
increased to 1200 after modernisation and to 1453 by 1945
due to the need to operate and support the additional
equipment fitted during WW2.

Between
September 1939 and August 1945 this ship saw extensive
service in Home Waters, the Mediterranean and in the
Indian Ocean as described in the Chronology of War
Service. She was deployed for defence of military and
trade convoys as well as for the support of shore
operations in Norway and in the East Indies. HMS RENOWN
was damaged in action off Norway in 1940 with the German
battleships GNEISENAU and SCHARNHORST and took part in the
search for the German battleship BISMARCK in May 1941. She
brought Winston Churchill back to UK after the QUADRANT
conference at Quebec with Franklin Roosevelt. In 1941
radar equipment was installed and during a refit in 1943
before being deployed in the Indian Ocean her aircraft
facilities were removed and additional close range weapons
were fitted for defence against aircraft.

Because
of the very significant addition of equipment the ship's
displacement increased by over 2,300 tons which gave rise
to concern. The ship returned to UK from duty in the
Indian Ocean during March 1945 for further reconstruction
to reduce weight starting In October. This was cancelled
in September and the ship deployed at Devonport for
training. However her final duty in the active Fleet was
to be used by HM King George VI when he met the Mr Truman
the US President at Plymouth on 2nd August 1945. HMS
RENOWN reduced to Reserve status in December 1946 and was
placed on the Disposal List in 1948. She arrived at
Faslane to be broken up on 8th August 1948.

H O O
D C L A S S

HMS Hood (Maritime
Quest)

G e n e r a
l
I n f o r m a t i o n

HMS
HOOD
was ordered at 7th April 1916 with HM Battlecruisers HOWE
and RODNEY. A fourth ship of this Class HMS ANSON was in
July that year. The design had been under consideration
for almost a year and of the final four variants proposed,
the modified Design A was chosen. The details were altered
after the Battle of Jutland but these were shown to be
inadequate when this ship was lost in May 1941. Although
four of the Class were laid down, three were cancelled and
only HMS HOOD entered service. It is beyond question that
this battlecruiser was considered to be the most graceful
Royal Navy ship in September 1939 when war was declared
and her loss came as a great shock, especially to all RN
personnel. For details of the design changes between 1915
and 1920 see BRITISH BATTLESHIPS by A Raven and J Roberts.

Main
propulsion was provided by single reduction steam turbines
of 144,000 Shaft Horse Power driving four shafts to give a
speed of 31.9 knots during trials. As designed the Deep
Displacement was 46,680 tons, with a length overall of 860
feet 7 inches, a Beam of 104 feet 2 inches and deep
draught of 32 feet.

The
main armament comprised eight 14in guns in four twin
turrets. These were of modified design which allowed a
maximum elevation of 30 degrees instead of 20 degrees
following experience in the Battle of Jutland. Secondary
armament fitted was 12-5.5in and four High Angle single
4in guns for AA defence. The ship was also fitted with two
underwater torpedo tubes and four deck mounted torpedo
tubes. Armour protection was provided for upper decks, and
bulkheads with side armour to protect weapon mountings and
control positions for fire control equipment. Bulges were
provided for underwater hull protection. An aircraft
flying-off platform was fitted on X Turret aft. For
details see above reference.

During
further refits before WW2 the Bridge was modified and
range finder arrangements changed. Extensive
improvements were made to improve AA defence and the
aircraft platform was removed as its use had proved
unsatisfactory for this design of ship. The submerged
torpedo tubes were also removed. Improvements were made to
communications equipment and to positioning of
searchlights.

All
secondary armament was changes before 1940 having been
replaced by dual purpose twin 4in weapons. During the
refit in 1940 a degaussing cable was installed to give
protection against magnetic mines. Radar outfits were also
fitted for aircraft warning and for main armament fire
control by 19409.

A
proposal made in December 1938 to carry out an extensive
reconstruction was never implemented because of the
anticipated outbreak of war with Germany. The main
machinery would have been replaced and aircraft facilities
fitted including hangars. The Bridge structure was
intended to be re-designed as had been already done in
some of the QUEEN ELIZABETH Class battleships. Significant
improvements were intended to armour protection, but
whether these would have prevented the sinking by BISMARCK
cannot be assumed. Her loss was the subject of a Board of
Inquiry amongst the comment on its findings was the
suggestion that the sinking may have been due to explosion
of torpedo warheads adjacent to the point of contact of
the fifth salvo. See above reference and the Naval Staff
History Battle Summary.

Originally the Complement was 1,397 but due to the
provision of additional anti-aircraft weapons as well as
radar equipment this would have progressively increased.
At the time of her sinking over 1,400 personnel were
killed.

Between
initial commissioning on 14th May 1920 and September 1939
the ship served mainly in Home waters and in the
Mediterranean. She was held in high esteem not only by
those who manned her but by all associated with the Royal
Navy from 1920 on. During her service in WW2 she was
extensively deployed for Home Fleet operations and for
Atlantic convoy defence.

M O N I T
O R S

HMS Erebus
(CyberHeritage)

G e n e r a
l I n f o r m a t i o n

This
type of warship was designed for the support of shore
military operations. These ships were armed with two 15in
guns mounted in a turret which was sited forward of the
bridge.

The
Monitors in service in September 1939 were :

MARSHAL NEY

Disarmed and used
as an accommodation ship at Devonport.

MARSHAL SOULT

Attached to the
Gunnery School at Chatham for training purposes,
Disarmed in 1940 and used as an accommodation
ship,

Two
ships of this type, HMS ROBERTS
and HMS ABERCROMBIE
were completed after 1939 and deployed operationally
during WW2.

HMS Roberts (Navy
Photos)

G e n e r a
l P a r t i c u l a r s

Displacement

7,850 Tons
(Except ROBERTS 7,970 Tons)

Length

373 feet Beam 90
feet Draught 12 feet.

Machinery

Geared turbines
(4,800 SHP) driving 2 shafts. Speed: 12 knots.

Armament

1 Twin 15in
Mounting; 4 twin 4in; 2 Pdr pom-pom (1x8 and
2x8)

Armour

Provided for
Deck, hull , gun mountings and steering gear.
External bulges were fitted to hull for
protection against torpedoes.

Complement

350

W a
r S e r v i c e

HMS
ROBERTS served in the Mediterranean from 1942 and
aupported many operations in North Africa and Italy
including the allied landings in Sicily and at Salerno. On
return to UK in 1944 she was deployed in support of the
Normandy landings and at Walcheren..

HMS
TERROR was deployed in the Mediterranean during 1940 and
supported the 8th Army until being sunk by air attacks on
24th February 1941

HMS
EREBUS provided gunfire support during the evacuations
from Europe in 1940 and later carried out
bombardment of enemy positions in France. In 1943 the ship
went to support allied landings in Sicily. The next year
she returned to Home waters and also supported the
Normandy landings and the Walcheren assault operations.

For
further details of war service in WW1 and WW2 see MONITORS
by I. Button

F L
E E T A I R C R A F T C A R R I E
R S

H. M . S
. E A G L E

G e n e r a
l I n f o r m a t i o n

The
twentieth British warship to bear the name EAGLE. This
ship had been ordered from Armstrong's as a Dreadnought
battleship by Chile in 1913 and was to have been named
ALMIRANTE COCHRANE. However, after war broke out in August
1914 work was suspended. The ship lay unattended on her
building slipway until 1917 when she was purchased by the
Admiralty for £1.3M. Her design was modified by aAdmiralty
Naval Constructor, Sir. E. H. Tennyson d'Eyncourt, to
enable the ship to be used to carry aircraft. For that
reason she cannot be regarded as the first purpose built
Royal Navy aircraft carrier. The flight deck extended for
the full length of the ship which had no masts, only one
funnel and no island structure.

The
full Load displacement was 26,400 tons with an overall
length of 667 feet and beam of 105 feet 9. She had a
maximum draught of 27 feet. Geared turbines with a shaft
horsepower of 50,000 driving 2 shafts gave a speed of 24
knots. Armour protection was provided for hull and decks.
Her main armament consisted of nine 6in guns for defence
against surface ships and she had four 4in guns for
anti-aircraft defence. Before the outbreak of war in 1939
eight 2Pdr pom pom guns were added for close range AA
defence.

Her
conversion was carried out by the builder Armstrong's at
Elswick and the ship was launched on 8th June 1918. After
commissioning on 13th April 1920, flying trials were
carried out off Sicily to assess performance in the new
role. As a result it was necessary to make modifications
to the existing arrangements. Work was undertaken at HM
Dockyard Portsmouth starting in November 1920 and did not
complete until 1923. The changes made also took into
account the experience gained in other trials carried out
by the other carriers which had showed the need to have an
island structure for control of flying operations and for
ship handling. This feature was provided in the revised
design and was sited on the starboard side. It
incorporated two funnels and two masts, the forward one of
which had a gunnery fire control position at its top. HMS
EAGLE had therefore a distinctive appearance, quite
different from any other RN aircraft
carriers.

Originally her complement was 748 but this increased to
over 1150 during WW2. The ship was intended to carry 21
aircraft and the hangar design included two levels. When
finally accepted into service the ship and its various
alterations had cost £4.6M.

HMS
EAGLE was serving on the China Station in 1939 and
transferred on the outbreak of war to the Indian Ocean.
She went to the Mediterranean in June 1940 and took part
in several Fleet operations. Despite her slow speed and
limited operational capacity she was used extensively for
defence of Malta supply convoys and to take aircraft for
the reinforcement of Malta. She was lost whilst covering
the passage of a Malta convoy in August 1942 when
torpedoed by U73 south of Majorca. The ship sank quickly
but 900 of the crew of 1160 were rescued.

C O U R A G E O U
S C L A S S

HMS Courageous (Navy
Photos/Mark Teadham)

G e n e r a
l I n f o r m a t i o n

The
second British warship to bear the name GLORIOUS, first used
for a French 74 gun ship captured at the Battle of The
Saintes in 1782, but foundered five months later. This ship
was designed as a light battlecruiser and ordered in 1915
with another of the same type to be named COURAGEOUS. They
were part of a project initiated by the renowned Admiral Sir
John Fisher for operations in shallower waters such as the
Baltic Sea. A similar battlecruiser, HMS FURIOUS
was ordered at the same time for the same type of deployment
and had a main armament of 18in, guns the eaviest ever used
in a British warship. All three ships were converted for use
as aircraft carriers by 1930.

HMS
COURAGEOUS
was ordered from Armstrong's Elswick shipyard in Newcastle
and HMS GLORIOUS
from Harland and Wolf at Belfast. Both ships were completed
in 1917 and had a deep displacement of about 23,000 tons.
They were 786 feet in overall length with a beam of 81 feet
9 inches outside bilges and had a draught of 24ft at
standard displacement. Armour protection was provided as
fitted in C-Class cruisers. During the sea trials of HMS
COURAGEOUS in 1917, heavy weather conditions showed signs of
strain on the forward part of the hull. Doubling plates were
fitted to strengthen the structure in both ships. Aircraft
platforms on the A and Y-turrets were used for two aircraft
in line with the current policy. The build cost for each
ship was £2.1M.

After
the better armed and protected RENOWN Class battlecruisers
joined the Fleet the two COURAGEOUS Class became of limited
vale and were considered to be white elephants. Their
selection for full conversion into aircraft carriers was a
sign of the recognition within the Admiralty that purpose
built ships of this type were an essential need.

COURAGEOUS
Class ships were originally fitted with 2 twin 15in guns and
a secondary armament of 6 triple 4in mountings, which were
never considered a successful design. After a short period
in service they were taken in hand for conversion to their
new role in Royal Dockyards between 1924 and 1927. Their
armament was then replaced by 16 dual purpose 4.7in guns
which could be used against surface and aircraft targets. In
addition they had some smaller AA weapons. The torpedo tubes
fitted originally were removed.

The
propulsion machinery consisting of four propellers driven by
steam turbines of 90,000 shaft horsepower provided a a speed
of 31.58 knots during trials following conversion. 18 Yarrow
type boilers fitted in three compartments were used. After
conversion, the ships carried 48 aircraft and had an island
structure on the starboard side of the flight deck which
included the funnel and bridge. This feature distinguished
the Class from HMS FURIOUS which had no funnel visible.

The
designed Complement after conversion was 748 excluding the
aircrew and support personnel who were largely from the RAF
in these two ships. Various modifications were made before
1939 including installation of 21pdr pom-pom AA weapons for
use in close range AA defence.

Both
HMS COURAGEOUS and HMS GLORIOUS were sunk in the first ten
months ofWW2. Neither ship was fitted with radar and no
significant changes were made to their AA armament. In each
case their sinking was due to misuse. HMS COURAGEOUS was
deployed on anti-submarine patrols with insufficient
protection and sank after being hit by torpedo from a U-Boat
on 17th September 1939. HMS GLORIOUS was sunk in action with
the German battleships SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU when
returning to UK from Norway after the allied evacuation. The
fact that none of her aircraft were being used to provide
any warning of the presence of enemy warships was a major
factor in her tragic and unnecessary loss.

I L L U S T R I O U
S C L A S S E S

HMS Illustrious
(Navy Photos)

G e n e r a
l I n f o r m a t i o n

The
second generation of Fleet Aircraft Carriers comprised six
ships. ILLUSTRIOUS Class

During
build it was decided to incorporate new features in these
ships but owing to their advanced build status it was only
possible to incorporate a second half-size aircraft hangar
on the deck below the main hangar. This Class was slightly
larger than that of HMS ARK ROYAL. These ships displaced
23,000 tons and had a length of 95 feet with draught of 24
feet. As designed they carried a main armament of 8 twin
4.5in High Angle mountings for defence against aircraft and
surface ships with six 8 barrel 2 pd Pom Pom mountings for
Close Range AA defence. Later these were replaced by 20mm
Oerlikon mountings. The initial design allowed for 36
Aircraft but this increased to over 60 later in WW2 although
varied when heavier machines were available. The main
propulsion machinery consisted of geared turbines with a
shaft horsepower of 110,000 giving a speed of 31 knots.
Initially their Complement was about 1400 but this increased
later when more guns and new equipment e.g. , radar was
fitted.

Armour
protection was provided for the hangars, upper deck and
machinery compartments. The availability of an armoured
Flight Deck undoubtedly saved these ships after being hit by
Japanese KAMIKAZE aircraft in the Pacific during 1945.

HMS
INDOMITABLE had a displacement of 22,600 tons as designed
and was 751 feet in overall length with a beam of 953 feet
and mean draught of 294 feet. The other particulars were as
for the earlier ILLUSTRIOUS Class.

The
full range of changes were incorporated during the build of
the last two ships which became known as the IMPLACABLE
Class. Amongst the changes made were provision of four sets
of turbine machinery driving four shafts which gave an
increase in designed speed.

None
of the six Fleet Aircraft Carriers of these Classes which
were all completed during WW2, was lost during WW2.

P o s
t W a
r S e r v i c e

HMS
FORMIDABLE and HMS INDEFATIGABLE were put into Reserve in
1948 and never used in the operational Fleet after that
date.

HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS was mainly used for trials purposes until laid
up in 1954.

HMS
IMPLACABLE remained operational until 1950 when she was used
for training purposes.

HMS
INDOMITABLE was extensively modernised and her bow and stem
rebuilt between 1948 and 1950. She then became Flagship of
the Home Fleet until 1954 when placed in Reserve.

HMS
VICTORIOUS was extensively modernised between 1950 and 1958,
again refitted in 1962-3 and then remained operational until
1967 when taken out of use.

Ten
Light Fleet Aircraft Carriers of the COLOSSUS Class) were
ordered under War Emergency Build Programmes in 1942 - 43.
These ships were not as big as the earlier Fleet Aircraft
Carriers (ILLUSTRIOUS Class) and were not able to carry as
many aircraft. Although intended primarily for use in
defence of convoys as replacement for the US Type CVE, they
were fitted with the equipments needed to carry out Fleet
duties. None of this type were completed before hostilities
ended in August 1945.

They
were built to Lloyds Specification for merchant ship
construction up to Main Deck level. This was to enable them
to be converted for use as mercantiles after the end of the
war. However all COLOSSUS Class Light Fleet Carriers were
used in the Fleet role and remained in naval service with
the Royal Navy and those of other foreign countries.

Ships
of this Class had a displacement of 13,350 tons (Standard)
or at Full Load 18,500 tons. With an overall length of 695
feet and a beam of 80 feet they had a mean draught of 21
feet (23 feet at full load). The propulsion machinery
consisted of steam turbines with 42,000 Shaft Horsepower
giving a speed of 25 knots. Design arrangements included the
use of a 'Unit' system to improve damage control. Endurance:
12,000 miles at 14 knots.

Ships
other than the Maintenance carriers had multiple 2Pdr
pom-pom and 40mm AA mountings for close range defence
against aircraft .The original complement was 850 excluding
aircrew and maintenance personnel but this increased
significantly as more equipment was fitted. Radar equipment
was fitted for aircraft control, surf ace warning and for
navigation purposes with radio communication outfits for
direction of aircraft and standard naval requirements.

Between
39 and 43 aircraft could be embarked, depending on type.
Fixed wing aircraft were used until helicopter development
for naval use was completed in 1960's. Rotary wing aircraft
were extensively then used in aircraft carriers. s shown in
the above Table all ships of this Class retained in the RN
had been taken out of service as aircraft

carriers
or were transferred to foreign navies by 1959-

H E R M E S
C L A S S

HMS Hermes (Navy
Photos)

G e n e r a
l I n f o r m a t i o n

These
eight ships were ordered under an Emergency War Build
Programme in 1944 but at the end of hostilities with Japan
the orders for four ships were cancelled. Work on the other
four partially built hulls was stopped until 1946 when
construction was re-commenced. The name of HMS ELEPHANT was
changed to HERMES in 1945 to ensure that this famous
name could be retained in the post war Fleet. This design of
this ship was improved to include post war developments such
as the angled deck and steam catapult. Later in 1971 she was
converted for use as a Commando Carrier with extensive
design changes to meet the new role. After another 17 years
service she was placed on the Disposal List and sold to
India.

One of the earliest lessons
learnt in the first year of the Battle of the Atlantic was
the need for continuous air cover of convoys. As few Coastal
Command shore based aircraft were available, submarines were
able to approach convoys without the need to submerge until
making an attack. Once enemy aircraft operated from French
bases any convoy without fighter protection became an easy
target, unless near a UK coast

In 1941 four naval
auxiliaries were fitted with a catapult to enable fighter
aircraft to be launched for defence of convoys. These
vessels were known as Catapult Armed Merchant Ships (CAM
Ships). The greatest disadvantage was that the aircraft
could not be recovered and the pilot, after using his
parachute had rely upon rescue by one of the ships in the
convoy. To overcome this feature it was decided to fit a
Flight Deck on a mercantile so that it was possible for an
aircraft to take off and land. The first ship converted was
the Ex German mercantile HANNOVER captured in 1940 and
renamed EMPIRE AUDACITY. Commissioned as HMS AUDACITY she
had very successful, but brief career which confirmed the
over-riding importance of this solution to effective air
cover from a ship in the convoy. HMS AUDACITY was torpedoed
in December 1942 in defence of Atlantic Convoy HG76 on
passage to UK from Gibraltar. She was the first Escort
Aircraft in the Royal Navy designed specially for convoy
defence. This type of warship is known as a CVE in the US
Navy.

In addition six Grain
Carriers and four Oil Tankers being built in UK shipyards
together with nine other Oil Tankers in service were also
converted. These ships, manned by civilian crews were known
as Merchant Aircraft Carriers (MAC Ships.) They performed a
duel role as they carried cargoes as well providing
anti-submarine protection during passage. The number of
aircraft carried was limited to four SWORDFISH and no hangar
was available for maintenance or protection from the
weather.

MAC and CAM ships were an
interim solution to this need whilst a more suitable
conversion was in hand to the British Escort Aircraft
Carriers. In addition to having a Flight Deck, a hangar was
available and better AA defence as well as carrying 15
aircraft which did not have to remain on the Flight Deck.
More importantly the CVE was fitted with radar and
communication equipment essential for aircraft direction and
control of anti-submarine operations. A fifth mercantile
PRETORIA CASTLE deployed as an Armed Merchant Cruiser was
also converted for use as a CVE and use for deck landing
training.

No
other conversions were made in British shipyards as the US
Navy had already begun mass-production of this type of
aircraft carrier, some of which were to be supplied to the
Royal Navy under the UK/US Lease Lend Agreement. As

a
result British shipyards were able to concentrate on build
of anti-submarine escorts and much larger and adaptable
Light Fleet Aircraft Carriers which could be used for either
Fleet or Convoy defence

During
1943-45 CVEs were deployed extensively with Support Groups
in defence of Atlantic and Arctic convoys. Their aircraft
were responsible for the sinking of many U-Boats and the air
cover they provided ensured the safe passage of many
hundreds of ships.

When
more CVEs became available they were deployed in the
Mediterranean for convoy defence and for support of

shore
operations. After the end of hostilities with Germany in May
1945, 24 of these ships served in the Eastern Fleet and the
British Pacific Fleet and carried out a variety of duties.

As
a result of the close relationship between the Royal Navy
and the US Navy the need for convoy escorts to include a
warship able to provide air cover was quickly recognised.
Two mercantiles under construction in the USA were
requisitioned and orders placed for them to be converted for
use as auxiliary aircraft carriers .designated CVE. One of
these two ships was transferred to the RN under the UK/US
Lease-Lease Agreement in response to an order for 6 ships of
this type.

ARCHER Class

HMS Archer (Navy
Photos)

The
Lead Ship (Ex MORMACLAND) became HMS ARCHER and was
completed to the design of the US Navy CVE USS LONG ISLAND.
Although five others were ordered one was retained by the
USN and was used for training British aircrew. Ships of this
Class, unlike the British built CVE HMS AUDACITY had a
hangar extending for half the length of the Flight Deck with
a lift at one end. Diesel engines provided main propulsion
using a single shaft. One engine in HMS ARCHER and two in
remainder. A single 5in US Navy gun mounting was fitted for
Low Angle defence and two 3in Anti-aircraft guns. Close
range defence was provided by 40mm and 20mm weapons. British
naval radar sets were fitted in this Class. During RN
service these ships proved unstable and ballast was added.
The petrol distribution system was modified after loss of
HMS DASHER in 1943 following an explosion.

ATTACKER Class

HMS Chaser (Navy
Photos)

Eleven
ships of this Class were obtained under Lend-Lease. Changes
were made to the ARCHER design and embodied in hulls already
under construction for use as mercantiles. Most significant
were the use of steam turbine machinery and provision of a
larger hangar extending the full length of the Flight Deck.
Four sponsons were added on either side of the Flight Deck
for installation of additional Close Range anti-aircraft
armament .Two 5in US Navy gun mountings were fitted during
build but later replaced by British guns. A feature of
ATTACKER Class ships was the selection of some specifically
for use during Assault landing operations. These variations
were fitted with special radar and communications equipment
to control aircraft used for the protection of ships during
landing operations. Other ATTACKER Class were fitted for
convoy defence use as Escorts. Ships of the Class were
fitted with British radar outfits and could carry more
aircraft.

RULER Class

HMS Arbiter (Navy Photos)

23
of this last type were obtained under Lend-Lease and ordered
from one US shipyard (Seattle-Tacoma) for use as either
Assault or Convoy Escort use. Build times were reduced by
the use of mass production techniques and some of this Class
were taken to US Navy or commercial shipyards for
completion. In order to further improve delivery times
modification work to suit RN service was also carried out on
the west coast of Canada. Apart from the provision of more
Close Range anti-aircraft weapons the design followed that
of the earlier ATTACKER Class. US naval radar was fitted
during build in all this Class and included a fire control
system for close range weapons. An increased aircraft
complement could be carried. Some ships fitted or used as
Assault Carriers were deployed for transport of aircraft.